West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-09-01

seems To think some OF the soul of her
dead lover lives still In this cat, and
caring for it is her one great passion; she
calls II Conrad, and is never Contcnted
away from IL. have TO feign the same
affection and interest in an animal really
do not like, out of consideration formv
poor Hilda's feelings shudder for the
consequences il any misfortune were to
bcfall her pet. know il is ridiculous To
travel about with a cat. but"
"Oh, please don't say anything to recall
some stupid speeches of nine" began
Calcott, eagerly. "There is nothing
ridiculous
"I.es, it is silly" she interrupted him
"but l take that as part of my punish
ment, rs | try TO bear patiently with
Hilda's dreary fancies in needlework. If
can suppress the frightful decorations
she makes before she produces them i'm
public, I'm thankful She always wears
mourning, and finds keen satisfaction i'm
celebrating the dismal symbols of death
you found her busy over
"A terribly depressing influence for
you, said Calcott.
"les; but do not deserve far worse
LOTT That is my story very hastily and
imperfectly told cannot bean 10 dwell
on details-but il is enough TO explain
what seems strange in our conduct. Let
us return now through the fields, and
talk of pleasantcr things
For many subsequent days Jeremy had
TO content himself with flceting glimpses
of Dora, for she seemed TO avoid him,
and his most adroit attempts to bring
about a chance meeting failed
At sunset, one evening, he found her
sitting alone on a stone wall where a
sweep of the road commanded the proltiest
view of the valley. Traces OF tears were
in her eyes, and pathetic trcmor I'm her
voice; she looked irrcsistibly lovely, aud,
astonishcd at his own courage and clo-
qucnce, Calcott presently found himself
telling her that he had loved her from
the first moment hc lad seen her, and
that heaven would begin for him on this
dull earth if she would be his wife.
"Oh, no, no l cannot beg of you
not to speak TO me in this way. Oh,
why did not prevent youw
This was not encouraging, but Calcott
did not mean TO let himself be abashed
too easily.
''But why may not tell you that
love your -
"No-no man must talk TO me of love
so long as my poor llilda needs me.
have sworn 90 devote myself to her, allow
ing no one To divide my allegiance-it is
but little compensation for running her
life"
"But why not let me help TO bear the
burden which is far too heavy for you 20
"No l say; no one can help me.
Alone with me, Hilda is usually docile
and good. The intimacy of other peo-
pie maddens hcr-I have tried all that so
often
but this sacrifice Of yourself is shock.
ing IL is--n
please DON'T know you feel sym.
pathy for me, but don't deserve it, and
/ can't bear TO listen TO it, beg Of you
10 forget what you have said Just now.
! cannot listen to any mans wooing. If
you will not forget, will you not 90 away
and leave us TO the quiet sought here,
but alas have not found No pleading
can shake my resolve; it only distresses
me beyond endurance"
There was no other alternative for Jer-
emy but to promise to 90 on the follow
ing day. During the slecpless night that
followed he resolved that he would bide
his time for awhile, but renouncc all
hope Of winning Dora, as she badc him.
he could not, if he would To leave her
was TO feel the gates Of paradise close
against him; and who could tell how
long the separation 50 cruelty imposed
by Fate might last! Dora's ewes, I'm
spite Of herself, told Jeremy that she re-
turned his love. Under the circum-
stances he could hardly tell whether this
consciousness caused him most delight
or despair.
The next morning the Albergo della
Posta was the scene of the widest excite
ment; owing 10 the carelcssness Of one Of
the chambermaids, Conrad, Hilda's
precious cat, had escaped from the room
hired for his special accommodation, and
was nowhere TO be found. IL was said
that the bereaved Hilda had tried 10
fling herself out Of window, I'm which
case she must have infallibly landed upon
the pigs back; the landlady was in
Mysteries, and the butchers boy brought
the report that a bushy white cat, large
as goat, breathing fire out Of its mouth,
had been seen 20 plunge itself into the
Lima, several miles down the valley.
Please don't go yet there is a look in
Hildas eyes that frightens me-" said
Dora, imploringly, laying "a trembling
hand on CalcOtt's cOat-sleeve. This
request was quite superauous, for that
gentleman was devoutly thankful 30 the
delinquent Conrad for giving him a good
reason for delay, and he would not have
taken himself of for worlds. Presently.
the unearthly squalling Of a flock of
geese on a green plateau on the hillside
above, mingled with the lusty yells Of
the little goOseRirl who stood frautically
waving the long blue stocking she was
knitting, attracted the general attention
Of the village
All Of the able bodied population flew
20 the rescue. Through clouds Of nvinV
fur and feathers, with his blue eyes big
as saucors, his whiskcrs fercely bristlinV.
his Persian tail swinging threatcninQly
10 and fro they saw the doughty Conrad
in the thick Of the Kissing and cacklinp
flock, dealing sturdy blows right and
left with his heavy paws. TIc would
plainly have come out with flying colors.
routing the enemy gloriously. had not
the fierccst Rander Of the lot attacked
him suddenly in the rear pulling him bv
the triumphant tail till Conrad lost his
balance and presence OF mind
At this critical moment. Hilda. with
bare feet. dishevcled hair. p shawl trail.
ing after her, and n light toilet. plunged
in among the flock, flung away the irate
gander threw the shawl over the be-
wildered Conrad, and few back with